Hillman, Chris

CHRIS HILLMAN

    • From Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego) California. Lives in the Ventura, California area.
    • Early-sixties, played mandolin in the San Diego-based bluegrass group, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers. Also included banjo player Kenny Wertz, an original member of the Country Gazette and Bernie Leadon, who later was a member of the Eagles. Recorded a now-classic supermarket LP in just five hours. Each member of the band was paid $50 for their work on the album.
    • Mid-sixties, played with The Golden State Boys (AKA The Hillmen) an L.A.-based band with Don Parmley (Bluegrass Cardinals), Vern Gosdin, and Vern’s late brother Rex Gosdin.
    • 1965, he was an original member of The Byrds. Played bass.
    • 1969, formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons, Gene Parsons, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Al Perkins and several others (the band experienced numerous personnel changes).
    • 1971-1975, he and Al Perkins joined Stephen Stills’ band Manassas. He also performed with the Souther-Hillman-Furay band with songwriter John David Souther and ex-Poco member Richie Furay.
    • 1976, embarked on solo career.
    • 1984, released Desert Rose album (Sugar Hill Records).
    • 1985, released a gospel album called Ever Call Ready (Maranatha) with Bernie Leadon, Al Perkins and Jerry Scheff.
    • 1985, formed Desert Rose Band with Herb Pedersen, John Jorgensen, Bill Bryson and J.D. Maness. This group had some success in country music (several #1 songs) but broke up in 1995. They have performed several reunion concerts.
    • 1991, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds.
    • 1996, began recording and performing as a duo with Herb Pedersen, doing mostly classic country music. They released Bakersfield Bound (Sugar Hill Records).
    • 1997, 1999, recorded three albums with Tony Rice, Larry Rice and Herb Pedersen as Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pederson.
    • 2010, released At Edwards Barn album (Rounder) with Herb Pedersen.
    • 2020, published his autobiography Time Between (BMG).